In line with the 20th Anniversary and Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has disclosed plans to pay some medical bills of patients at the Apapa General Hospital in Lagos.
Addressing journalists on Thursday on the one week programme , Chairman of the NAGAFF 20th anniversary planning committee, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi said that the gesture has become imperative in providing succour for the less privileged.
As a public advocacy group,Ezisi said the association had written to the medical director of the hospital about the innovation,pointing out that a particular number of discharged persons without funds would be taken care of.
“NAGAFF is an umbrella body of practitioners and we always do our things in a unique way.
“We looked at it that visiting motherless babies homes is nice but we also remembered that there are people in the hospital that are being discharged but cannot pay their medical bills.
“And we felt that is charity because we looked at it and find out that its not common in our society.
” If not our time frame we intended to visit the prisons as well because we find out that there are persons in custody who have spent three months, six months and a year for just five thousand naira or there about to regain their freedom but due to the fact that there is no fund in their possession they remain in prison.
“But because of the time frame we could not achieve that plans but not withstanding we will look into that area in the future as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility.
Though the chairman ,declined to mention the amount earmarked in assisting the less privileged , he noted that the association had planned to visit some major prisons in the state but the time frame was short.
The week long anniversary celebration kicks off on 28th November, 2019, with Muslim prayers in the mosque at 1:30 pm.at MMIA.
Saturday, November 30, sanitation exercise at MMIA and the Apapa port; Sunday December 1, church thanksgiving service at our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Aguda, surulere while on Monday, December 2, there will be a visit to General Hospital, Apapa and Tuesday, December 3, grand finale of the ceremony at Golden Tulip hotel in Festac.
The chairman organizing committee, Chief Tochukwu, Ezisi, said the purpose of their visit to General Hospital, Apapa, is to assist those finding it difficult to pay their hospital bills .
He said the criteria to know the bills they will settle is to look into patient cases and then they will decide on the ones they can settle.
Also speaking, former President of the association and Committee member, Chief Eugene Nweke, said the NAGAFF Academy will hold its matriculation ceremony on Saturday ,noting that at least 25 students will be involved in the ceremony.
The Grande finale of the ceremony will showcase NAGAFF’s sense of propriety and hospitality promises to be a parade of pleasant of serious academy exercise and fun.
A renown scholar, professor Iyiola Oni, who is currently the chairman, Institute Maritime Studies, University of Lagos, will deliver the anniversary lecture.
The governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu is expected as the special guest of honour, while the Honarable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuke Rotimi Amechi Will give the keynote address.
He added that the Executive Secretary and the CEO of the Nigeria shippers council, Barrister Hassan Bello will be the chairman of the occasion.
The event will also afford NAGAFF to appreciate individuals who have contributed to the growth of the industry through award of excellence to some deserving operators.
